At Vespers

On “Lord, I have cried…:, 6 stichera: 3 for the venerable one, in Tone IV: Spec. Mel.: “Called from on high…”—

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “On the third day…”—

Troparion of the venerable one, in Tone VIII—

O thou who wast illumined by light divine, when with purity of mind thou didst lift up thine eyes and likewise preferred things which are to come eternally to things which are inconstant, then, receiving fire in thy heart, O father, like a deer thou didst thirst for love divine; and, unmindful of flesh and blood, thou didst prepare thyself for the struggles of asceticism, for which cause thou didst make the passions of thy body subject to thy soul.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…”—

Glory…: Troparion of the hieromartyr, in Tone IV—

To ascend the mountains of God thou didst make thy dwelling in the heights, without being brought low by the vexing needs of this lowly body, O father Joannicius; for, uniting thyself to the Good One by standing whole nights and days in prayer, thou wast illumined and didst receive the gift of prophecy, to behold things afar off as though they were near, and to foretell to the faithful things which are to come. Wherefore, we glorify thee as a divine teacher.

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or stavrotheotokion.

The assaults and darts of the demons thou didst mightily blunt with the entreaties of thy prayers, and by the power of God, O right glorious one, thou didst triumph over them. Wherefore, as thou wast refreshed by the humility of thy heart, the Good One hath given thee miracles as honors. For this cause, thy precious relics pour forth fragrant myrrh, for thou hast shown thyself to be the sweet fragrance of Christ, O father Joannicius.

And 3 stichera of the hieromartyr, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “When from the Tree…”—

Receiving a fitting name through divine providence, O father, thou didst confirm it, signifying it materially; for in thine endurance thou didst vanquish multitudes of adversaries and the assembly of torturers. Wherefore, receiving a crown of victory, thou didst cry out with faith: Glory to Thine ­invincible might, O Thou Who lovest mankind!

On this, thy divine memorial, thou pourest forth the most fragrant myrrh of healings upon us today, O wise Nicander; thou drivest away the darkness of sorrows and bodily sufferings, and fillest with rich grace the assembly of all who cry out to Christ: Thou art the inexhaustible myrrh making fragrant all who hymn Thee!

As thou hast boldness before Christ, Who alone is glorious in His saints, entreat Him, O venerable Nicander, in behalf of all who with love celebrate thy memory and praise thy corrections, that through grace we may become partakers of His ineffable good things and incorruptible glory.

Glory…, in Tone VI—

O venerable father, the sound of thy corrections hath gone forth into all the earth; wherefore, thou hast found the reward for thy labors in the heavens. Thou didst destroy hordes of demons and hast attained unto the ranks of the angels, whose life thou didst blamelessly emulate. As thou hast boldness before Christ God, ask peace for our souls.

Seeing Thee crucified, O Christ, she who gave Thee birth cried out: “What is this strange sight that I see, O my Son? How is it that Thou diest on the Tree, suspended in the flesh, O Bestower of life?”

At the Aposticha, the stichera of the Octoechos; and, Glory…, idiomelon, in Tone VIII—

We honor thee as the instructor of a multitude of monks, O Joannicius our father; for by thy steps we have truly recognized how to walk aright. Blessed art thou who, laboring for Christ, didst denounce the power of the enemy, O converser with angels, companion of the venerable and the righteous. With them pray thou to the Lord, that our souls find mercy.

Beholding Thee, O Jesus, nailed to the Cross and accepting suffering willingly, the Virgin, Thy Mother, O Master, cried out: “Woe is me, O my sweet Child! How is it that Thou dost unjustly endure wounds, O Physician Who healest the infirmity of men and hast delivered all from corruption by Thy loving-kindness?”

With the streams of thy tears thou didst cultivate the barren desert, and with sighs from the depths of thy soul thou didst bring forth fruit an hundredfold. Thou wast a beacon for the whole world, resplendent in miracles. O Joannicius our father, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.

In his suffering, O Lord, Thy martyr Nicander received an imperishable crown from Thee, our God; for, possessed of Thy might, he set at nought the tormenters and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons. By his supplications save Thou our souls.